problem with cue case tubes

[SPetty]

I bought a new (el cheapo) cue case. Although the tubes are tight enough to keep the shafts and butts from going down too far, if you tap the bottom of the case against the floor or simply keep pushing, the pieces go too far.

I remember the very best solution to this from a few years ago was to use marbles down in the bottom of the tubes. This was not a permanent solution like cramming paper towels or other spacer material down there, because the marbles could be easily removed if desired.

I tried the marbles.

It appears that the tubes stop shorter than the bottom of the case, because I ended up with marbles rattling around the bottom of the case below the bottom of the tubes. At least they came back out easily!

Any other non-permanent ideas? Any other permanent ideas? I'm not even sure cramming paper down there would work given that the tubes stop above the bottom...

 

[Snapshot9]

okay

What I did before was buy 2 sizes of dowell rods,
one for butts and one for shafts (smaller than the
tube diameter so they can be removed later if needed),
cut to size depending on how long you need them.
Toss down in the tube (shake if you need to get
them flat), and then put your sticks in. If not the
right height, remove and cut the right height this
time. You know the rest.

 

[Cornerman]

Any other non-permanent ideas? Any other permanent ideas? I'm not even sure cramming paper down there would work given that the tubes stop above the bottom...

Foam spacers like Whitten uses should do the trick. Some hardware stores will sell rubber or foam rods, maybe 1/2" diameter or so?

Fred

 

[9 Ball Girl]

Hi SPetty. I've used the foam stoppers that I purchased in Valley Forge earlier this year when I was using the Porper case that I still have. If you can't get a hold of those (let me know and I'll get some for you at VF should you choose to wait 'til March that is!), then try using the tops off of markers. That's what I used to use before the foam stoppers. Get some marker tops, throw them to the bottom of the case and voila!, you've got yourself some stoppers.